National Report

Wire Reports

Published Tuesday, September 16, 2008

O.J. prosecutor says evidence will show threats

LAS VEGAS -- A prosecutor told jurors Monday they will learn "the true face" of O.J. Simpson during the former football star's trial on charges of robbing sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Prosecutor Chris Owens began his opening statement by playing an audio recording of the confrontation and pointed out one voice barking commands: "Don't let nobody outta here ... stand the (expletive) up before it gets ugly in here."

In his opening statement, defense attorney Yale Galanter asserted that the evidence will not show that Simpson intended to commit a crime, but rather that he simply wanted to recover stolen personal effects.

Simpson, 61, and Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, have pleaded not guilty to 12 charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy.

FDA OKs anti-nausea patch for chemo patients

WASHINGTON -- Cancer patients will soon be able to use a medication patch to ease the debilitating nausea that often accompanies chemotherapy.

The Food and Drug Administration said Monday it has approved the first anti-nausea patch for chemotherapy patients, intended to provide relief for up to five days. The patch, called Sancuso, is worn on the arm and delivers a widely used anti-nausea medicine through the skin. It is expected to be available by the end of the year.

Elementary, middle school kids make gains

WASHINGTON -- Students are doing better in elementary and middle school, but key indicators show little progress among high school and college students, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said.

"We've got a long way to go," Spellings said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The No Child Left Behind education law has a goal of making sure every student can read and do math at their grade level by 2014. That goal is still a long way off, but fourth- and eighth-graders are doing better. Last year, tests showed 33 percent could read and do math at grade level, compared with 25 percent in 2000, according to Education Department data.

Bush hails friendship with Ghanaian president

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Monday lavished the full White House treatment on Ghanaian President John Kufuor, a West African ally who holds a kinship with the U.S. president as their two-term tenures near a close.

Kufuor began his day on the South Lawn with all the pageantry of a military honor guard, flag-waving spectators and a 21-gun salute. He was ending his visit to the White House as a guest of honor at a rare state dinner late Monday. The treatment reflects Bush's fondness for Kufuor, whom he considers a voice of peace and progress in a region where both are often elusive.